T’puram: The long-delayed four-laning of the last leg of NH 66 stretch between Karode on Kerala-Tamil Nadu border and Kanyakumari is expected to be completed by Dec this year, a milestone that is set to significantly improve connectivity between Kerala and the rest of the country while providing a major boost to cargo movement from Vizhinjam International Seaport.According to a Nagercoil National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) official, around 80% of the work on the stretch has already been completed, with the remaining 20%—primarily involving a 1km section—scheduled for completion by Dec. However, he added that portions of the highway are expected to be opened to traffic by Oct, allowing partial movement even before the project is fully commissioned.The Karode–Kanyakumari section is one of the most strategically important links in the southern NH 66 corridor. While the four-lane NH 66 project in Kerala effectively ends at Karode, seamless connectivity towards TN depends on the completion of this stretch. Once operational, it will connect NH 66 directly to NH 944 link road and to NH 44, India’s longest north-south highway stretching from Kanyakumari to Srinagar, providing uninterrupted access to TN, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and northern India.The project assumes added significance as Vizhinjam International Seaport prepares to scale up cargo operations next month. Industry stakeholders have repeatedly pointed out that efficient evacuation of containers from the port requires high-capacity highway connectivity to neighbouring states. At present, freight vehicles largely depend on the existing two-lane road between Karode and Kanyakumari, resulting in congestion and longer travel times.With the new four-lane highway becoming operational, container trucks from Vizhinjam will be able to access NH 44 much faster, improving logistics efficiency and reducing transportation costs.Construction on the Karode–Kanyakumari stretch had witnessed prolonged delays over the past few years due to land acquisition issues, utility shifting, and other execution-related challenges. However, work gathered momentum from Jan this year, with construction activities being accelerated to meet the revised completion schedule.NHAI officials said efforts are now focused on completing the remaining works, including pavement, structures and finishing activities, while ensuring that traffic can be introduced in phases from Oct.The completion of the corridor is expected to benefit not only freight movement but also thousands of daily commuters and tourists travelling between Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari. For Kerala, particularly the capital region, the project is expected to strengthen road connectivity with southern TN and enhance the economic potential of Vizhinjam port by integrating it with the national highway network through NH 44.
